Roseanne Review: Netflix and Pill (Season 10 Episode 8)

Most of our lives, we have had the pleasure of having Roseanne on our TV screens. Sure, she was always rough around the edges and had an attitude problem. But it always seemed that underneath it all, she could do no wrong.

On Roseanne Season 10 Episode 8, “Netflix and Pill,” viewers are given a look into the darker side of Roseanne’s life situation.

Back in the ’90s, the Conners struggled a bit with financing even the bare minimum of their life. However, that was really only when Dan didn’t have work.

Now, they are older and not as easily able to make money as before. They struggle financially. Through it all, they love — but sometimes even that isn’t enough.

I find myself constantly in awe of how well Roseanne manages to take issues you wouldn’t really associate with the Conners and highlight them in a meaningful manner.

Case in point: “Netflix and Pill.” This episode takes three serious issues plaguing the average American citizen and relates them to Landford’s own.

The most obvious issue is the pill addiction. Roseanne is showing all the symptoms. I just hope that Dan can somehow convince her to do something about it.

When we talk about pill addiction, most people immediately think of the unseemly character down the street or the seller on the corner. We don’t immediately think of a grandmother popping extra Vicodin to help her knee pain.

This puts a more rounded, real spin on it. By seeing Roseanne struggle with — and deny — her addiction to pain pills, the audience can place the familiar. It may even help others to see this problem in themselves or those they love.

While I’ve had my issues with storylines in the past, here’s looking at you, Absent Andy. I do greatly appreciate the show’s good faith effort in approaching topics that may not at first glance seem applicable for Roseanne. Now let’s really hope the show doesn’t just present this issue but also follows it through to its solution.

This flows right into the next major issue “Netflix and Pill” tackles: health insurance.

For most Americans, insurance is a sore subject. Things are no different for the Conners. Much like the average American (who can’t afford all that comes with insurance, or in most cases isn’t covered at all), they make due without it.

The making due without is what leads people down roads of addiction and cutting corners. A $3000 deductible may sound outrageous, but it’s an unfortunate reality for many people.

Instead of glossing over it with a joke and a “haha isn’t insurance annoying,” Roseanne decides to delve into the heart of it. Mad respect to the show for this.

I believe this move will really make the show as we head into the finale and beyond. Episodes like this one and Roseanne Season 10 Episode 7, “Go Cubs,” are a testament to the above-par storytelling skills of the show.

This show survives the test of time because it grows and changes along with the world outside. By talking about things such as immigration, insurance, and education, they are planting themselves in the minds and hearts of their audience.

Which brings us to the final issue of the episode. This one involves the equally delightful Darlene and Becky, the sister dream-team we didn’t know we needed in the ’90s but crave now.

Dan: Sometimes, you just gotta suck it up and put your family first.

Dan’s words are really helpful for Darlene in her decision to not take a job with full benefits. Her father is a subtle reminder that when kids are involved, dignity can be easily removed from the equation.

In the long run, money is money, and that is what keeps children fed, clothed, educated, and healthy. While the Conner family has always struggled financially, that hasn’t really been the case for their children — yet, anyway.

Darlene faces the biggest wake-up call when she is offered a well-paying job with insurance. She may feel cheapened by the outfit this job requires, but she soon realizes that it’s about more than that.

She needs to find a way to support her children, even if it’s a job that’s not at all within Darlene’s dreams.

It really shows her and Becky’s growth as people that Becky didn’t try to sabotage Darlene’s chances. In fact, Darlene knows that her sister wants out, and so she extends an olive branch and offers Becky an alternative: college.

It’s been great seeing these sisters grow into the mature adults they are now. The best part is that the sisters are stronger than ever. They are a united front.

That is exactly what their mother could need in the coming months with her addiction recovery or even intervention. I guess we will have to wait and see if the finale highlights it.

While this episode isn’t Roseanne‘s funniest, it is still a great episode. Sometimes funny isn’t needed to sell the audience on the importance of a message.

“Netflix and Pill” is one such episode.

Other Thoughts:

• Dan and Roseanne being unable to use their points to really enjoy their anniversary is very heartbreaking.
• Celebrating 45 years makes me smile and think of my grandparents.

What did you think of this episode of Roseanne? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Catch up on our review of Roseanne Season 10 Episode 7, “Go Cubs.”

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Roseanne airs its finale on Tuesday at 9/8c on NBC.

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